Matthew Montgomery Joins Derbyshire as Counties Announce Key Transfers

A series of notable county cricket transfers have been confirmed, headlined by Nottinghamshire batter Matthew Montgomery's move to Derbyshire on a three-year contract. Montgomery, who has impressed with both bat and ball in white-ball cricket, will initially join Derbyshire on loan for the Metro Bank One-Day Cup but will be ineligible to face his current side, Notts.

Born in South Africa and holding a German passport, Montgomery made his debut for Nottinghamshire in 2021 and has since made two first-class centuries. Despite limited opportunities in the red-ball format this season, he has been a standout performer in T20 cricket, topping Notts’ bowling averages with 15 wickets at 18.06 through his offspin.

“Matt has chosen to join our project at Derbyshire and we're delighted to welcome him to the club,” said Derbyshire's head of cricket, Mickey Arthur. “He's a batter with real ability in all formats, and he will get the opportunity to show what he can do. His bowling will also be a real asset for us in T20 cricket.”

Montgomery added: “I'm excited to work with Mickey and join a group that is moving in the right direction. I look forward to taking this next step in my career and hope I can contribute to Derbyshire's success across all formats.”

Ajeet Singh Dale Signs with Lancashire

Meanwhile, England Lions pacer Ajeet Singh Dale will leave Gloucestershire at the end of the season to join Lancashire on a three-year deal. Singh Dale, 25, is among the fastest bowlers on the county circuit and attracted significant interest after entering the final year of his Gloucestershire contract.

He joined Gloucestershire from Hampshire in 2022 and has since taken 81 first-class wickets at an average of 38.24. His performances earned him Lions call-ups in both 2024 and 2025.

Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, described Singh Dale as “an exciting young fast bowler with genuine pace and a real hunger to keep on developing and improving his game.”

Singh Dale said: “I’m really excited to be joining Lancashire and can’t wait to get started with the club in November. Lancashire has an exceptionally strong squad, which can compete across all formats, and I’m looking forward to pushing myself in a new environment while contributing towards success for this great club.”

Matt Milnes Returns to Kent

Elsewhere, Yorkshire seamer Matt Milnes will return to Kent on a three-year contract after an injury-plagued stint in the north. Milnes, 31, moved to Yorkshire in 2022 but struggled with back issues, making just five County Championship appearances across three seasons. He recently claimed his maiden five-wicket haul for the club in their win over Sussex.

A key part of Kent’s 2021 T20 Blast-winning side, Milnes expressed enthusiasm about rejoining his former team. “I’m excited to come back to Kent and join this new project under Adam Hollioake,” he said.

Kent director of cricket Simon Cook welcomed the experienced campaigner’s return. “We’re delighted that Milnesy has chosen to come back to Kent. He was an extremely big part of our bowling attack during our sustained periods of success in his first time here, and he is an extremely talented bowler in both red- and white-ball cricket.”